A Marine accused of murdering a fellow Marine in the barracks at Camp Pendleton has still not been formally charged, according to Navy Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS).
Lance Cpl. Mario Arias, 19, was found beaten to death at 1 a.m. on Nov. 3 in Camp Pendleton's Area 24 barracks, according to investigators.
The suspect, a fellow Marine, was found outside the barracks after having jumped from a third floor balcony, NCIS spokesperson Ed Buice said.
The suspect remained in a hospital Tuesday, recovering from his injuries, according to Buice. He has not yet been formally charged with a crime.
“I'm told it probably won't happen until after he gets out of the hospital,” Buice said.
According to two sources who talked to the North County Times, Arias confronted the suspect about his alcohol abuse. The suspect became “enraged,” beat Arias to death and then tried to kill himself by jumping from the balcony, according to the sources.
Arias enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2010. He became an aircrew trainee from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
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Friends say Arias was supposed to go home for Thanksgiving.
